The words were written by British Methodist preacher and Salvation Army founder, William Booth (1829 – 1912) and first published in "The War Cry" in 1894 - marking the 50th anniversary of
William's conversion.
With meter of 8.9.8.9.8.8.8.9, tunes it has been set to include:
- TUCKER by Fredrick Booth-Tucker (the original tune)
- BETTER WORLD
- SEND THE FIRE - by Lex Loizides. This tune is used in most on-line examples, often with an adapted version of the lyrics also written by Loizides
Downloads
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There is four part sheet music from Timeless Truths for the TUCKER tune.
There is a backing-track (tune SEND THE FIRE) available from Six Maddens.
Examples
Salvation Army band in concert:
Rockband with lead singer:
Soft-rock version - lead singer and church choir:
Duet with piano, on-screen lyrics, tune TUCKER:
Instrumental: brass band, with traditional lyrics on-screen
Instrumental - organ:
Lyrics
Traditional version
Thou Christ of burning, cleansing flame, Send the fire!
Thy blood-bought gift today we claim, Send the fire today!
Look down and see this waiting host,
Give us the promised Holy Ghost,
We want another Pentecost,
Send the fire today! Send the fire today!
God of Elijah, hear our cry: Send the fire!
To make us fit to live or die, Send the fire today!
To burn up every trace of sin,
To bring the light and glory in,
The revolution now begin,
Send the fire today!
‘Tis fire we want, for fire we plead, Send the fire!
The fire will meet our every need, Send the fire today!
For strength to ever do the right,
For grace to conquer in the fight,
For power to walk the world in white,
Send the fire today! Send the fire today!
To make our weak hearts strong and brave, Send the fire!
To live a dying world to save, Send the fire today!
O see us on thy altar lay our lives, our all, this very day,
To crown the offering now we pray,
Send the fire today! Send the fire today!
(*) Newer versions often start with "O God" rather than "Thou Christ" - and some have alterations throughout the text.
Thy blood-bought gift today we claim, Send the fire today!
Look down and see this waiting host,
Give us the promised Holy Ghost,
We want another Pentecost,
Send the fire today! Send the fire today!
God of Elijah, hear our cry: Send the fire!
To make us fit to live or die, Send the fire today!
To burn up every trace of sin,
To bring the light and glory in,
The revolution now begin,
Send the fire today!
‘Tis fire we want, for fire we plead, Send the fire!
The fire will meet our every need, Send the fire today!
For strength to ever do the right,
For grace to conquer in the fight,
For power to walk the world in white,
Send the fire today! Send the fire today!
To make our weak hearts strong and brave, Send the fire!
To live a dying world to save, Send the fire today!
O see us on thy altar lay our lives, our all, this very day,
To crown the offering now we pray,
Send the fire today! Send the fire today!
(*) Newer versions often start with "O God" rather than "Thou Christ" - and some have alterations throughout the text.
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